July 31, 2006 (Computerworld) -- Perpendicular recording can increase magnetic media's capacity as much as 10 times. That means that microdrives that used to hold about 3,000 songs could provide room for about 30,000 songs. In more technical terms, that means it will be possible to store about 230 gigabits per square inch, or up to 20GB, on a 1-in. microdrive.